Correct Oil for a Sabb HG

JeffBoath

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 Sep 2007
Messages
126
Location
Up North
Visit site
I have a 1971 Sabb HG 2 cylinder 18hp engine fitted to my Elizabethan 31, I'm sure this type of question has been asked before but any advice on the correct engine oil type?
 
Mine actually does have a spin on filter on the side of the block. Morris lubricants do a classic SAE20 oil, I think I'll go for that. Anyone used it before?
 
A straight SAE 20 oil probably API CC will be available from good car factors and even Halfords, it is used in older, classic cars. Morris lubricants, Morris of Shrewsbury, are a very well respected supplier of oils, you'll be fine with their products. The specified oil for your engine is available, you need not use anything else.
 
I have used Morris SAE 30 in my SABB 2G 22hp (1977) engine for many years now. The engines starts and runs very smoothly in all weathers and starts easily in the last few winters very cold conditions. The oil is changed once a year and the engine runs at load for about 100 days per year at approx 5 hours per day. This model of engine does have an oil filter.

If you ignore the terrible intro music you can see the engine running in a You Tube clip at;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlZ5nZU9oLo
 
SABB

Oh you have one of those posh SABB's with an oil filter. How the other half live:) eh!

There has been some good discussion on this forum regarding oil, there is clearly a disagreement over when to change and what to use, I sit in the - a boat engine is not in the same environment as a vehicle engine - camp and rather risk damage I change my oil at least once a season, but I am a sailor and it doesnt run a lot other than to charge the battery.

I do analyse it as well as I don't have a filter I rub some through my fingers if it feels other than smooth I change it. Not scientific but without a filter I don't risk of damage for a few quid.
 
Last edited:
an additive to make it more slippy doesnt hurt and wil lreduce wear that a filter helps to reduce.

What additive do you use? The subject of oil additives seems to crystallise opinions: some being fervently pro, some anti. A very experienced motor mechanic I know swears by STP which I've also heard is the next thing to a con.
 
I went to a maunfacturers demo on additives the rep put a braring in a bath of standard off the self motor oil and then put a torque wrench on it the bearing was driven by a motor and the bearing seized at about 50lb ft. Then he put some additive in and at a 120lb ft the torque wrench reached its maximum.

Additives do more than make things slippy but it was an impresive demo anyway.
 
I went to a maunfacturers demo on additives the rep put a braring in a bath of standard off the self motor oil and then put a torque wrench on it the bearing was driven by a motor and the bearing seized at about 50lb ft. Then he put some additive in and at a 120lb ft the torque wrench reached its maximum.

Additives do more than make things slippy but it was an impresive demo anyway.

That's similar to one that has been around for years, using the industry standard four-ball test. Adding some ZDTP boundary lubricant will always have a similar effect but what they don't tell you is that many of the other lubricant requirements have been compromised.

Oil companies spend millions on research to improve their products. Is it likely that some guy with a little business down the road can come up with something better?

The very famous case over additives is the one sponsored by Briggs and Stratton. This involved the draining of oil after adding some snake oil, upon which the engine ran for longer. Under controlled conditions it was found that the engine on standard oil was seized but could be restarted, whereas the one with the snake oil was wrecked. You can Google the case, sorry I'm on a very slow link on iPad so can't do it for you.
 
Top